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But maybe we ask the wrong questions.
Maybe the first question should be: Is Anthony still good?
Anthony played terribly with the Thunder last season. He fired inefficiently from the field, fell a long way by shooting fouls, defended like a sieve, bounced badly and did even worse to train teammates.
His plus-minus box was -3.8. How low is it? Since 1974 (the first plus-minus season can be followed), someone has played at least 2,500 minutes 2,478 times. Anthony's plus-minus box is tied at 2,476 in this group.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Should not a player of his caliber avoid a season this catastrophic? They usually do it unless they are washed. "Data-reactid =" 23 "> Should a player of his caliber not avoid a season this catastrophic? They usually do it – unless they are washed.
Previously, * 85 players had a plus-minus box of -3.0 or lower after achieving All-Star status in a previous season (minimum: 41 games). ** Of those 85, 84 have never had another positive season of box plus-minus.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "* In addition to Anthony, Joe Johnson and Jameer Nelson did it last season. They are not counted here, although Johnson and Nelson are out of the league."data-reactid =" 25 ">* In addition to Anthony, Joe Johnson and Jameer Nelson did it last season. They are not counted here, although Johnson and Nelson are out of the league.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "** Including Tony Parker, a current player who still has a chance to bounce back."data-reactid =" 26 ">** Including Tony Parker, a current player who still has a chance to bounce back.
The only exception: Rashard Lewis with the Heat 2014.
Lewis's plus-minus box was only +0.1 that year. He was on the sidelines of the regular season rotation in Miami, but he was OK, and had good times in the playoffs. It was not an exemplary year, but it was good.
Maybe this should be the bar for Anthony.
Instead, he is the most excited minimum coach since Shaquille O 'Neal with the Celtics in 2010.
Part of that was circumstances. Anthony made the headlines of his name during a long process to travel from Oklahoma City to Houston. It was learned that he would leave the thunder. Then he was traded to the Hawks. Then it was bought by Atlanta. Then, after a while, he finally signed with the Rockets. Every step brought more attention to Anthony.
But it's also because of Anthony's reputation. He is a star player 10 times who has been very good at his best. His plus-minus box was consistently positive, peaking at +3.6 in 2014.
Yet signs of decline existed even before last season. His plus-minus box dropped +2.6 in his penultimate season in New York at -0.7 his last year there. The fall to -3.8 in Oklahoma City may well be a continuation of the trend among 34-year-olds.
The Thunder did not present a perfect situation, but it was not as bad as some claim, including Anthony. Do not forget that Oklahoma City was one of the few places where Anthony would waive his no-trade clause. Obviously, he did not think it was such a mess when he was traded there.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "It's hard to see how thunder has defied expectations reasonable at the time of the transaction, he had to adapt to play with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, without a doubt. But these other stars were already in place. Was Anthony really surprised that his touching had greatly decreased? And will he play much more with Harden and Paul? "Data-reactid =" 35 "> It's hard to see how the Thunder defied reasonable expectations at the time of the deal. Russell Westbrook and Paul George, no doubt. But these other stars were already in place. Was Anthony really surprised that his touching had greatly decreased? And will there be many more with Harden and Paul?
Harden and Paul are better smugglers than Oklahoma City stars. Anthony expressed more openness on his departure from the bench in Houston. The Rockets have always been his first choice. There are many reasons why it could work.
But do not ignore this fact: if Anthony develops in Houston, he defies a long history of players like him, who are definitely at the top of the hill.
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